12 I the Collector, have been king over Israel in Jerusalem. 13 And I gave my heart to seek and to search out in wisdom all that is done under the sky. It is hard work that God has given to the children of man to be busy with. 14 I have carefully watched everything that is done under the sun, and I saw that it all is impermanent and a striving after wind. 15 Whatever is twisted cannot be made straight, and what is missing cannot be made up for.

science is hard work

The modern day scientist has inherited the work of this ancient collector, and both would agree that it is hard work. Trying to figure out the intricacies and details of all that exists under the sky (and above it) takes patience and intelligence. Rules that many consider set in stone change constantly. Answers that were assumed for generations are often debated anyway. In the end, many discover that they have spent their lives searching for an elusive prize – an antidote, a solution, a better way to do things. Often that which had been searched for remains a mystery.

Still, let me just say to all of you scientists that we appreciate your work. You want to make this world a better place to live in, and we thank you for that. Many think that those of us who are religious are opponents of science. Not so. Solomon in his later years saw what some of us are beginning to see. Science is a useful servant, but not so good a master. Trying to figure the world out can be hard work, especially if you leave its creator out of the equation. Thankfully, there are many scientists today who have a strong relationship with God.

LORD, thank you for those who take upon themselves that hard work of learning and improving the world around them.